I have been remiss for not telling you all about the newest member of our family. This beautiful young lady is Lexie. We have known Lexie since she was just a little girl, she grew up next door to us. She's the same age as Melissa and so she fits right in with the girls.
There have been many days and nights that the echo of her infectious laugh has graced our home and we are blessed for it. Her smile lights up a room and she's kind, gentle and loving.

I'm so proud of all this young lady has accomplished and how she's stood strong amid the trials and frustrations that life has thrown her. She's standing on her own two feet and she's carving out her own little niche in life.

Lexie will be a senior this coming fall, and through no one's prompting or telling her she has to, she's done well enough in school that she will be graduating early. While others will be in school till Summer, she will be done in January. College is just on the horizon for her. She has drive and determination and she is taking responsibility for her own future.

Strong as she is though, she has a sensitive side, the side that shows up every once in a while when life gets a little jumbled and she feels overwhelmed. The part to her that makes me want to hold her in my arms and make it all go away. I think sometimes she doubts that our family will be here for her forever and ever, but nonetheless we just keep reminding her that we're not going anywhere. If we could right this very minute we would adopt her and make her Lexie Gifford, however, due to certain circumstances we have to wait a while for that to happen. Even though she may not be Lexie Gifford legally, she's already Lexie Gifford in our hearts.